4/9/2024 0 Comments Opened their MindsLuke 24:36b-48
Jesus Appears to the Disciples https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke+24%3A36b-48&version=NRSVUE Last week, we explored the resurrected Jesus’ first appearance to the disciples according to the gospel of John. This week, we’ll explore Luke’s telling of Jesus’ first appearance. When they first saw Jesus, they thought Jesus was a ghost. His appearance must have looked more ghost-like, something from the spiritual realm. However, Jesus proved he was present in more than spirit-form because he ate physical food. Once this detail is covered to prove that he had resurrected, Jesus begins to teach them about why he resurrected – and he used scripture. All the time they were together, Jesus used scripture and referred to prophecy to teach them. They had been taught the scriptures all their lives, so they already knew them, which would seem easier for them to understand that Jesus was the one who has fulfilled scripture. Even with their knowledge mixed with their personal experience with Jesus, the disciples still didn’t quite understand. They were still “in their heads” until Jesus “opened their minds to understand the scriptures” (v.45). When we read and study scripture, we cannot forget the action of the Holy Spirit who opens our minds to truly understand. We can study the words, their various meanings, the cultural context, and even Hebrew and Greek, but we still won’t quite understand until the Spirit opens our hearts to receive the grace of understanding. When it comes to reading and understanding scripture, it’s not just our efforts that will make us understand. It is our willingness to allow the Spirit to speak through our study and listening. The Spirit opens our minds through our hearts, so we hear and receive God’s living Word. Even though the disciples had knowledge of the scripture and firsthand eye witness of who Jesus was, they still needed their minds to be opened by Jesus. In this passage, what Jesus opened their minds to understand was that he was the Messiah, the anointed one by God who came to fulfill the scriptures. He is the one who came “to suffer and to rise from the dead on the third day and that repentance and forgiveness of sins is to be proclaimed in his name to all nations” (v.46-47). His resurrection proves the final part of scripture that they longed for. They finally moved from their heads to their hearts. Have you experienced the Spirit’s movement while reading scripture that opened your mind to understanding? Perhaps the words leapt off the page and spoke directly to your heart. Even when reading scripture that you’ve read your whole life, you were able to understand it in a different or new way. This is the beauty of Jesus opening our minds to scripture. The living Christ can give us exactly what we need to understand in that moment. The disciples needed to understand why a ghost-like, scarred Jesus was able to stand among them. They needed to understand what resurrection actually meant even though Jesus had taught them about it beforehand. The opening of their minds and their hearts by the resurrected Jesus is what brought them to true understanding. Reflection Questions: Have you known someone who is considered a bible scholar, but they still don’t understand the scriptures? Which scripture do you need the Spirit to help you understand? Where do you need Jesus to open your mind and heart? Action: When doubts arise in your heart, pray for the Spirit to open your mind to understand.
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